My word for 2012 is HOPE.
I really wanted to have a revelation this year. I wanted to know that my word was something special and perfect and life changing. I didn't want to pick a word with secret hidden plans and thoughts behind it - a word that I would control.
Last week I started thinking and praying about my word. I knew that I wanted to know God was giving it to me. I wanted my word to pursue me, but I wasn't sure what that would look like. This is the story of how hope chased me down...
Hope. I heard it whispered in my mind.
On Monday I thought of lots of words. Hope was one of them, but I dismissed it as not really being something I needed to focus on. It felt too simple.
Tuesday night. It was time for bedtime prayers with Katarina, and as we started praying, Thomas randomly shared some things he had been thinking about that day - all about hope. It was good stuff, but I still didn't think hope was the word for me.
Hope. I heard it echo in my heart.
Thursday night I fell sleep thinking about hope, and Friday morning I woke up thinking, "a hope and a future," and it stayed with me all day. I started to realize how much hopelessness I have felt for the last two years.
On Saturday I read a book. A character spent four paragraphs talking about hope, and while I was reading those paragraphs, Katarina interrupted me to discuss naming a doll Hope.
Hope. I felt it reaching for my soul.
By Sunday morning, I was starting to admit it to myself - hope was pursuing me. I felt a real peace about it being my word. And just in case I wasn't sure, hope showed up one more time that morning when I opened up a random email that contained a picture with this written on it:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,
"plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future."
~ Jeremiah 29:11
"plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future."
~ Jeremiah 29:11
Hope. It pursued me for a week, and I will spend the next year embracing it, learning its depth, and living it.
What is my journey with hope going to look like? I have no idea...but that is exactly the way every great journey starts, right?
"Rejoice in HOPE, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
~ Romans 12:12
If you want to join a community of people living out One Word in 2012, check out One Word 365.
I think you picked a wonderful word. It can encompass so many facets of life.
ReplyDeleteHope in the ancient languages is interpreted in various places to mean:
ReplyDeleteconfidence, refuge, expectation, waiting
One l passage I like is Romans: 8:24 ..Sometimes the simplistic logic of scripture astonishes me. :-)
Hope is a powerful thing. When things don't go your way, always remember that.
ReplyDeleteIt is a powerful powerful word.
I believe I would like to use the word "Truth" or "Honesty" this year though it so seems that my truth and/or honesty is just that "MINE" and others have trouble with that because theirs is just as valid at that moment for them. I think I'll be spending the year drawing connecting dots for everyone.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great year and we'll keep up with you. hugs to you and your family.
I think Hope is a lovely word. It seems simple, maybe, in times of calm, but it can be a complicated thing to sustain. Here's to Hope!
ReplyDeleteOH hope and I have been dancing together for the last year with mom's health. Till finally my hope was to see her healed and never sick again. I love you girl and I love reading your stuff. Ty for just being you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful word!!! Here is to a year full and filled and brimming with HOPE!!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful word! Looking forward to hearing what God reveals to you in and through your word! He pretty much tackled me and let me know that mine was to be THANKFUL and that it would rock my world! :)
ReplyDeleteI love it when the universe brings you to something. <3
ReplyDeleteP.S. What font is that? Love it!
Sweetie, this word was a running theme through my mother's life and has since passed into my life. As well as the scripture verse. It means a lot to me. I too have been feeling hopeless in many situations in my life for the past few years since my mom passed away and everything that's happened since. SO I look forward to this journey of hope with you!
ReplyDeleteTracie! I love it! And guess what my January 1 words was??? HMMMMMM, ok, give up? Go seeeeeeee. :)
ReplyDeletePerfect.
ReplyDeleteI think I shall follow suit.
ReplyDeleteI think HOPE's a perfect word for you!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to do a word, but I'm a few days late. Is it too late?
Excellent word choice
ReplyDeleteHope is such a great word and can make all the difference in life.
ReplyDeleteHope. It pursued me, too!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Lisa
www.moretobe.com
Wow, I just read this after writing my own post about one word. The differences between our posts are obvious (you credited the source, you didn't use profanity, etc.). But I have to say, I really like what you've said here. Hope is, for sure, something we can all get behind. Happy New Year. xoxo
ReplyDeleteHere is HOPING that your word brings you great JOY this year. (I HOPE you get my play on words since my word this year is JOY).
ReplyDeleteThat's a fabulous word. I wasn't going to have one but lying in bed last night it came to me that I'm going to do "gratitude," so wish me luck!
ReplyDeletesuch a great word!! hope is hard for me at the moment! it reaches deeper than we know! So excited to see how this plays out for your this year!
ReplyDeletebeautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt is a great word to focus on. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHope is one of my very favorite words. I don't use it enough but I think about it often.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first year I picked one word (even though I do have a few little goals as well) and it is 'Focus'. I love it, because pikcing a word can be so amny things, can change with the year, and you don't 'break' the resolution.
ReplyDeleteI've been focusing on hope too, not in a "word of the year" way, but as a way to combat the despair I have been feeling. I, too, remember Jeremiah 29.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome - what a perfect way to have your word come to you. Clearly the right one for you. Can't wait to see where it takes you this year.
ReplyDelete